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Posts by Teffle  

Joined: 26 Aug 2010 / Male ♂ 		Last Post: 8 Dec 2011
Threads: Total: 22 / In This Archive: 18
Posts: Total: 1318 / In This Archive: 980 		From: IRL
Speaks Polish?: Nie - odrobineczke

Displayed posts: 998 / page 2 of 34
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Teffle   
22 Nov 2011
Life / Pregnant - do Polish parents want to know the sex of the baby in advance? [17]

As far as I know it isn't unusual, certainly among non Poles, NOT to want to know until the big day. It's a surprise etc, simple. Just because you CAN know doesn't mean you have to.

As I said, I think this isn't that strange in most countries - probably more common to want to know but still...

However according to the Poles I've mentioned this to it's almost unthinkable: "Why on earth would you not want to know?" "What a bizarre attitude - anti medical science perspective!" etc etc

So what's the story - is this really unusual in Poland??
Teffle   
17 Nov 2011
Language / Province or Voivodeship [36]

Useful in inspiring the name of the best French Canadian band ever though.

; )
Teffle   
16 Nov 2011
Love / Well.. I got a Polish girl pregnant.. [88]

US is the only country I'm aware of that gives citizenship to kids who're born in the US even if the parents aren't US citizens

You need to be more aware then : )
Teffle   
11 Nov 2011
Language / How hard is it to learn Polish? [178]

British and other regional slang drives her up the wall

Not saying this is the case with your wife but IME Poles often do not properly differentiate between phrasal verbs, colloquialisms, slang and idioms.

In the past it has led a lot of Poles I know to regard, in particular, phrasal verbs as "not proper English"

My antidote is to sit with them and listen to the BBC news and count the number for phrasals used. Cue revision of opinion.

; )
Teffle   
9 Nov 2011
Language / How hard is it to learn Polish? [178]

The Gaelic language is natural to them

This is not at all common. The vast majority cannot speak Irish fluently. Many only know some Irish and of these, plenty are more likely to speak a continental language with more proficiency - I am one such example by the way.

Re the thread title I would contend that Polish IS more difficult than average - whatever "average" may be I don't know, but certainly more difficult than any of the romantic languages or German for example. From my limited knowledge of Norwegian/Swedish/Danish (sorry guys but the are similar) my guess is that Polish might present more difficulty in comparison - hard to know though. However, I would imagine Finnish is no walk in the park in European terms either.
Teffle   
3 Nov 2011
UK, Ireland / What do you like about living in Britain? [134]

fried bread etc yuk!

Of course.

But everything else is no more greasy or stodgy than a lot of Polish stuff.

It's funny, the amount of times I've heard "oh English breakfasts, far too greasy ugghhh etc" and yet every single "foreign" person I have prepared one for has loved it - German, Dutch, Spanish, French, American, Canadian...yes...and Polish.

It VERY much depends on the quality of the ingredients though - possible to get a cheap and nasty one I suppose, like everything else.
Teffle   
3 Nov 2011
Language / How hard is it to learn Polish? [178]

Apart from English, some people love to think their own language is very complicated as it makes them look sophisticated. Simple as.

Had to laugh when a Spanish woman said this to me though.
Teffle   
18 Oct 2011
Food / How to find Halal Food in Poznan (Muslim food in Poland) [55]

they get shipped from Europe to Saudi in appalling conditions just to get their throats cut by a mufti

Are you sure - appalling? I know in Ireland there are frequent 'monitored' trips (various sensors, cctv etc) for live exports in order to provide evidence of reasonable welfare.

as far as I remember (and I never check facts before posting as I consider it to be the equivalent of taking a set of encyclopedias into a pub quiz)

Ha ha - my "rule" too : )
Teffle   
15 Oct 2011
UK, Ireland / Poles in Ireland by Peadar de Burca. They "turned their backs on a country that gave them" [195]

Wasn't it the Normans who started it afterall they invaded first.

The real problem started here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantation_of_Ulster

Complete utter bollocks!

LOL - where do I start? The European Commission for Human rights would beg to differ with you.

What about the fact that the British army in NI killed more civilians than they did paramilitaries?

The Falls curfew? Bloody Sunday? 100s of dawn raids and casual beatings? Internment? Torture?

You're some laugh, you really are.
Teffle   
15 Oct 2011
UK, Ireland / Poles in Ireland by Peadar de Burca. They "turned their backs on a country that gave them" [195]

If Im being called the biggest supporter of Empire I know for sure Im not making some points as well as I could in person.

I know.

So, to keep it on topic (reminder above) I'll say it again, the original piece (back in...er...page 1) was a pi$$ take.

But, before anyone starts again, yes, probably there are elements in Ireland who feel like that. Just as there are elements in Poland who aren't happy with the influx of Brits, or who aren't happy with jews, or who who aren't happy with whatever...

I am fairly sure though, that that most Irish people have no problem with Poles coming to or, for that matter, leaving Ireland.

Of the 12-15 or so Polish people that I know well, so far, at least 6 of them have made the decision to stay in Ireland, bring up their kids there etc. They have stated that they prefer it here than Poland so, based on that, how bad can this supposed anti-Polish thing be?
Teffle   
15 Oct 2011
UK, Ireland / Poles in Ireland by Peadar de Burca. They "turned their backs on a country that gave them" [195]

I kind of agree with you. Minus some of the tone.

the lot of you ought to grow up,

Its funny, just like so many Poles you completly discount the fact that the majority in NI are " protestant" and a minority are "catholic". So, why should a minority have a right to decide the fate of the majority?

There is still a big "Oh the bloody feckless micks, fighting among themsleves, they don't know what they want - NI wants to be British etc etc" in Britain.

Washing their hands of the fact that THEY created this conflict. Yes, it was a long time ago and yes I've said it before, but with empire-building comes responsibilities and consequences. That's all.

How many Catholic Irish point out to their admiring Polish audience that the British Army went in in 69 to protect the Catholics?

Big issue here though - why wouldn't they welcome them? the military keep the peace don't they ? This, obviously, was before they had proved themselves to have a large thuggish, trigger happy and bigoted element.

For the record, I'm Irish and utterly anti all violence & murder - republican, loyalist and British military.
Teffle   
14 Oct 2011
Food / Polish-style spicy beets? [10]

I always say dont knock it till you try it

Even kaszanka?

I know you US-sters and your irrational fear of the dirty European blood sausage ; )
Teffle   
14 Oct 2011
Life / Poles - what do non-Poles just "not get" and why? [23]

I know from my students that some don't get the small talk the English style

Often true I think.

they almost looked bored when I was trying to explain to them why discussing commuting could be interesting

I think I know what you mean. "Get to the point" "Why the unnecessary detail?" etc etc maybe?

I have found that sometimes when I answer Poles in a slightly tangential but relevant manner they can get very impatient. However, if I answer bluntly, then inevitably the next questions/points addressed will raise what I had been anticipating may have arisen in the first place!

They don't get this type of indirect,as they see it, small talk because they don't see the point of it. But in the example I mention there most definitely is a point.

I don't know if that makes sense.

But sorry, the thread was really intended for Poles to enlighten the rest of us about Polish Psyche and things that foreigners just don't get or misinterpret etc.
Teffle   
14 Oct 2011
Study / The worst of Polish education. No wonder Polish universities are bottom of the list. [142]

The difference is that an american student would never pass in Poland .

Your misguided blind patriotism is exactly why some criticise Poland.

The louder you shout your plainly risible "facts" and opinions the more ridiculous and pathetic you seem.

Oh yeah, and the more you write aggressive insulting and simply dishonest posts, the more likely you will receive abuse and criticism in return - do you understand how this part works yet?
Teffle   
13 Oct 2011
Life / Poles - what do non-Poles just "not get" and why? [23]

sour cream

Well, a lot of it about seemingly but I'm fine with that. Sourness in general I probably don't get (soured rye is it? you know the flavour - often in soup)

Polish farmer's cheese

Haven't had it but from googling I think I would probably very much get it - sounds like real cheese, not the bland pale stuff I have mostly seen which, yes, I don't get either.

kaszanka

Tends to be Americans that have problems with this one - I love it.

Anything non-food related though?
Teffle   
13 Oct 2011
Life / Poles - what do non-Poles just "not get" and why? [23]

hey tend be a nightmare of a taste (the ones that I prepared stank during frying and still did afterwards - the taste was also not a very pleasant one)

They were either rancid, low quality or both I would say. Plenty of low quality stuff about unfortunately.

Polish politics

I'm sure you're right - but you have to help them get it, that's the deal ; )